Union University Rebuilds After EF4 Tornado - John Dunn

FOX 17 News – By: John Dunn

There is one word you’ll hear over and over at Union University…amazing!

Just six and a half months ago an EF4 tornado ripped the campus apart, but now an incredible rebuilding effort has given the University new life.

Next week 3,400 students will return to the campus in Jackson, and they’re in for a pleasant surprise.

At Union University things are going much smoother.

With so many new buildings around campus, it’s hard to believe how things looked just six months ago.

The February 5th tornado struck a direct hit on Union, causing $40 million in damage.

But out of that rubble a new hope has risen.

"I didn't know it was possible to build that quickly. I was absolutely amazed," says student Victoria Green.

Students like Victoria Green are just now discovering all that has changed…14 new residence halls, and major renovations to several other buildings.

"And I think we're just really excited to be on campus. Our student body is much more unified that it used to be after the tornado, and we're just glad to be around each other again," says Green.

To give you an idea of how extensive the damage was here, Union University has 42 buildings on campus...31 of them were damaged by the tornado.

"It's an illustration of what a lot of people can do when they get together and make their minds up to get it done," says Professor Jim Veneman.

Jim Veneman works in Jennings Hall, which lost its roof during the storm.

Now the building has been redone from the ground up.

"It has been an amazing change, it's incredible that we're at the point that we are right now," says Veneman.

On this Southern Baptist campus, many feel the presence of God.

First, no lives were lost during the tornado, and second, that recovery has come so quickly.

Some days more than 700 construction workers were on campus building and repairing.

"We've had two construction teams working six days a week to get those buildings ready," says Dean of Students Dr. Kimberly Thornbury.

One new addition, all the new buildings have bathrooms which double as reinforced safe rooms.

"There's a lot of newness, there's a lot of change, but our students are excited and ready to dive in," says Dr. Thornbury.

There’s a definite energy around this University, a sense of conquering the storm.

There’s also a strong feeling of community…just what you’d expect at a school called Union.

"I feel like our school as a whole can just overcome anything that's put in its path now," says Green.

Even though Union University has insurance, the rebuilding project will still cost them an additional $18 million.

They’ve already raised more than $14 million to pay for it.

The new class of freshmen reports to Union on September 4th.Union University Rebuilds After EF4 Tornado - John Dunn